The arc blade is a very solid weapon for the early- and mid-game. The damage output from Static Discharge can quickly take down most early [[unique]]s and many later threats, especially if your Short Blades skill is sufficient to reach min delay. Against crowds, the damage instead spreads out, a useful effect if you can fight foes in a bottleneck.

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Compared to Static Discharge, the arcs from this weapon do more damage and arc more often to adjacent monsters due to the high spellpower used. The Arc Blade has damage output that's a bit higher than a fully enchanted demon blade of electrocution, hence it's strong weapon the entire game versus monsters without electricity resistance. Against crowds, the discharge damage tends to spreads out, a useful effect if you can fight foes in a bottleneck.

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Against electric-resistant targets, however, this weapon is no better than a +8 rapier that happens to grant rElec. Carrying an alternate weapon is strongly advised, as electricity resistance is very common later on.

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Against electricity-resistant targets, however, this weapon is far less good. Versus electricity immune monsters, it's no better than a +8 rapier that happens to grant rElec. Carrying an alternate weapon is strongly advised, as electricity resistance is common later on.

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Be careful of using this weapon near summons and other allies.

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Additionally this weapon is not good to use near allies, since those might get hit by its arcs. However it will warn you if your attack could harm one your allies.

Desirability

Compared to Static Discharge, the arcs from this weapon do more damage and arc more often to adjacent monsters due to the high spellpower used. The Arc Blade has damage output that's a bit higher than a fully enchanted demon blade of electrocution, hence it's strong weapon the entire game versus monsters without electricity resistance. Against crowds, the discharge damage tends to spreads out, a useful effect if you can fight foes in a bottleneck.

Against electricity-resistant targets, however, this weapon is far less good. Versus electricity immune monsters, it's no better than a +8 rapier that happens to grant rElec. Carrying an alternate weapon is strongly advised, as electricity resistance is common later on.

Additionally this weapon is not good to use near allies, since those might get hit by its arcs. However it will warn you if your attack could harm one your allies.

History

Prior to 0.23, the arc blade would cast Static Discharge multiple times but at much lower spellpower. The weapon's enchantment was +4.